OAKLAND -- In 21 seasons in the major leagues, iron man Cal Ripken Jr. never threw an official pitch. The former Baltimore Orioles shortstop and Hall of Famer should have more than enough arm strength, though, to challenge 10 batters in a home run derby Sept. 14 in Oakland.

Just over a year after attending the dedication of Harold Alfond Fenway Park, Ripken is returning to the youth field at the Waterville YMCA's Camp Tracy to raise money and promote baseball.

"We're really lucky to have a guy the caliber of Cal Ripken in this area," Waterville Girls and Boys Club/YMCA chief executive officer Ken Walsh said. "He's really trying to spread the game of baseball the Ripken way."

While Ripken pitched to kids at last year's dedication, this year he'll likely be pitching to adults. At a cost of $2,500 each, 10 companies have already signed up for the Corporate Home Run Derby. They'll be allowed to send one representative each to the derby, which will be run similar to the home run derby at Major League Baseball's All-Star game.

Each contestant will see how many home runs they can hit before making 10 outs. The winner will receive a Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken autographed jersey. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

"We'll give him a chance to meet anybody and everybody in the community," Walsh said. "Last year, it was unbelievable."

It rained at last year's dedication, forcing postponement of two scheduled youth league games. Instead, Ripken threw soft-toss to each of the players on all four teams.

"He was on his hands and knees in a downpour," Walsh said. "He pitched to every single kid."

Festivities also include a dinner and auction at the Alfond Youth Center following the home run derby and a golf tournament at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club on Monday. Proceeds from the event will go toward Badges for Baseball, a character development program that teaches kids how to respect one another through the game of baseball, and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, which provides equipment and grants to youth organizations.

The auction will include signed photos and other memorabilia from Ripken, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Bobby Orr, among other sports stars. The dinner and auction are open to the public at a cost of $100 per ticket.

Little Fenway has been a hit since it was built last year. It's an exact two-thirds replica of Fenway Park, complete with a Green Monster wall in left field, seats atop the center field bleachers, a red clay infield and press box. In addition to hosting regular-season games, it was also the site of this summer's 9-10 Cal Ripken League state tournament.

"Even after the season, games are played there," said Walsh, noting a team from Bangor played there last Saturday.

For more information on the home run derby and auction, call Walsh at 873-0684 or community relations director Kim Hawkes at 314-6080.

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com